Glove and ball tethered thereto

ABSTRACT

A novelty sports toy for diversion and enjoyment to youngsters and others, the device consisting of a base ball glove to which there is tethered one end of a stretchable elastic rubber, the opposite end of the rubber being attached to a knotted ball of rubber bands, the ball accordingly being adaptable to the thrown a short distance during which the rubber becomes gradually more taut so that it finally pulls the ball back toward the glove where the player tries to catch it in the glove.

United States Patent 1 Rocco, Jr.

[ 1 May 8,1973

[54] GLOVE AND BALL TETHERED THERETO 76 Inventor: Thomas J. Rocco, Jr.,26 Aster Court, Brooklyn, NY. 11229 [22] Filed: Oct. 13, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 188,727

[52] US. Cl ..273/26 E, 273/58 C, 273/58 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/40[58] Field of Search ..273/26 E, 26 R, 26 C,

273/95 A, 58 C, 58 R, 58 D, 97 A, 97 R, 98

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,153,537 Lewis ..273/26 EPrimary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice BrownAttorney-Abraham Friedman and Abraham Goodman [57] ABSTRACT A noveltysports toy for diversion and enjoyment to youngsters and others, thedevice consisting of a base ball glove to which there is tethered oneend of a stretchable elastic rubber, the opposite end of the rubberbeing attached to a knotted ball of rubber bands, the ball accordinglybeing adaptable to the thrown a short distance during which the rubberbecomes gradually more taut so that it finally pulls the ball backtoward the glove where the player tries to catch it in the glove.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUMAY' 81915 3.731.927

M/I/E/V TOE THOMAS J E0660). J33

GLOVE AND BALL TETIIEREI) THERETO This invention relates generally toactivity toys. More specifically it relates to sporting goods.

A principle object of the present invention is to provide a game devicefor a player playing alone, and wherein the player can throw a ball thatautomatically returns back to him so that theplayer does not needanother player to toss the ball back.

Another object is to provide a ball and glove wherein the returning ballcan be caught in a professional base ball glove.

Yet another object is to provide a ball and glove device that can bereadily attached to any professional glove without altering the glove sothat it can be used in normal use in a baseball game.

Yet another object is to provide a ball and glove which will giveendless hours of diversion to youngsters or even to adults, and whichwill aid in developing skill in throwing and catching a ball in a baseball glove.

Yet another object is to provide a ball and glove which is a modifieddesign of the invention includes a means to selectively adjust thelength of the ball tethering rubber cord so to individually suit aplayer.

Yet another object is to provide a ball and glove which is anothermodified design of the invention where in the tension strength of thetethering rubber cord is selectively adjustable to suit a playerindividually.

Other objects are to provide a little pro ball and glove which is simplein design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy touse and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily apparent upon a study of thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of a modified design of the invention thatincludes a tethering cord length adjustment means.

FIG. 3 is a view of a further modified design thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a modified design of the invention thatincludes a cord tension adjustment means.

FIG. 5 is a similar view of another modified design thereof.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral in FIG. 1represents a ball and glove according to the present invention whereinthere is a regulation base ball glove 11 and a ball 12 made of knottedrubberbands, the ball being tethered to the glove by a stretchableelastic rubber cord 13. Some gloves are provided with a gromment 14 inthe web 15 between the thumb and forefinger of the glove; the grommentopening being suitable for securement of the cord 13 thereto by having alarge knot at the rear of the web so to prevent the cord pulling out.Alternately in a glove not provided with the gromment, a small openingcould be made.

In use, as shown in FIG. 1, the ball is thrown forewardly, and thegradual build up of tension in the cord finally pulls it back so theball can be caught in the glove.

In FIG. 2, a modified design of the ball and glove 16 includes a reel 17for the cord so that a portion of the cord 13 can be wound up on it soto ad'ust the cord length. The reel comprises a flat plas lC or othermember which at one end is folded over to form a clip 18 for clippingover the edge 19 of the web 15 (as suggested in FIG. 1). The reel islocated at the rear of the web so that the cord extending through thegromment opening can be wound up on the reel. The reel includes a slot20 at one end in which the cord end is secured by enlarged know 21; theother end of the reel having a central slot 22 through which the cordleaves the reel so the reel rests flat at the rear of the web.

In FIG. 3 another modified design of ball and glove 23 is designed for aregulation glove having no gromet opening in the web, the deviceincluding a reel 24 with a cleat 25 formed on a rear thereof and aroundwhich the cord end is wound up, the other end of the cord extending overthe top of a web clip 26, then rearwardly into an opening 27 to a rearof the clip tongue 28, and then forewardly out of an slot 29 so toextend forwardly of the web.

In FIG. 4, a ball and glove 30 includes a tethering cord 31 consistingof several individual elastic rubbers 32, the number of which can beincreased or decreased so to allow tension strength. Open slotted rings33 along the cord hold the strands of rubbers 32. together, At one endthe rubbers are tied to a loop 33 formed on the ball; the other end ofthe rubbers being attached to any of the above described tetheringmeans.

In FIG. 5, a ball and glove 34 includes a modified design of tetheringcord 35 consisting ofelastic rubber tube 36 containing metal tensioncoil spring 37 having a securing hook 38 at each end. Spaced apart, openslotted rings 39 along the tube 36 serve for attachment of additionalstrands of rubbers 32 so to vary tension.

Thus several forms of the invention as provided.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it isunderstood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

I claim:

1. In a ball and glove, the combination of a regulation base ball glove,a ball of knotted rubber bands, and a tethering stretchable elastic cordsecured at one end to said ball and at its other end behind a web ofsaid glove.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a grommet opening isprovided in said web, said cord extending through said opening and beingsecured therebehind.

3. The combination as set forth inclaim 2 wherein a reel member behindsaid web includes a clip for securement over an edge of said web.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a reel member behindsaid web includes a clip for securement over an edge of said web, saidcord extending from a cleat of said reel, over said clip to a forewardside of said web.

5. The combination as set forth in claim I where in said cord iscomprised of a series of rubber strands holdable together by spacedapart, open-slotted rings.

6. The combination or set forth in claim 1 wherein said cord comprisesan elastic rubber tube with a wire tension coil spring therethroughhaving a hook at each end.

1. In a ball and glove, the combination of a regulation base ball glove,a ball of knotted rubber bands, and a tethering stretchable elastic cordsecured at one end to said ball and at its other end behind a web ofsaid glove.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a grommetopening is provided in said web, said cord extending through saidopening and being secured therebehind.
 3. The combination as set forthin claim 2 wherein a reel member behind said web includes a clip forsecurement over an edge of said web.
 4. The combination as set forth inclaim 1 wherein a reel member behind said web includes a clip forsecurement over an edge of said web, said cord extending from a cleat ofsaid reel, over said clip to a foreward side of said web.
 5. Thecombination as set forth in claim 1 where in said cord is comprised of aseries of rubber strands holdable together by spaced apart, open-slottedrings.
 6. The combination or set forth in claim 1 wherein said cordcomprises an elastic rubber tube with a wire tension coil springtherethrough having a hook at each end.